Latest news with #LegionnairesDisease
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Health officials warn of outbreak of deadly lung disease in major US city
Health officials in New York have issued a warning following the outbreak of a deadly lung disease in parts of the city. The NYC Health Department is currently investigating a community cluster of five cases of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem. The patients are located in neighborhoods with the ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, and 10037. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation, and complications from the disease can be fatal. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella that is primarily spread through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets or aerosols. These contaminated droplets can be released from various water sources, including cooling towers, hot tubs, showers, and decorative fountains. To date, there have been no deaths associated with the cluster of patients reported in New York. The source of the infections is unknown and the Health Department is actively investigating these cases and is sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems in the area. 'Any New Yorkers with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible,' deputy chief medical officer Dr Toni Eyssallenne said in a statement. She added: 'Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early. 'But New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older, those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin.' In general, the CDC reports that cases of Legionnaires' disease have been increasing since the early 2000s, with a peak in 2018. While reported cases dropped during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, they rebounded in 2021. From 2015 to 2020, the bacteria Legionella caused 184 disease outbreaks in the US, resulting in 786 illnesses, 544 hospitalizations and 86 deaths. About one in 10 people who become sick will die. There is no recent data for Legionnaires' disease. The odds of death are higher when the disease is contracted in a hospital setting, with at least one in four dying. Early symptoms of Legionnaire's include fever, loss of appetite, headache, lethargy, muscle pain, and diarrhea. The severity can range from a mild cough to fatal pneumonia, and treating infection early with antibiotics is key for survival. Legionella can colonize and grow within complex communities of microorganisms called biofilms that form on surfaces within water systems. Once there, the bacteria seeps into the water and becomes aerosolized. Plumbing systems, especially those associated with warm water, such as hot water tanks and distribution pipes, can also serve as reservoirs for Legionella bacteria to multiply. From there it can contaminate water in pipes. Stagnant or low-flow areas in pipes also foster Legionella growth. Legionella bacteria can multiply significantly in the hot water systems of large buildings like hospitals due to several factors, such as water temperatures below 50 degrees Celsius, areas where water doesn't flow well and collects, the presence of amoebas and other bacteria, and the materials used in the pipes. Earlier this year, one person died and several were hospitalized due to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at a senior living facility in Vermont. It originated from the care home's water system. Another recent victim of Legionnaires' was 71-year-old Barbara Kruschwitz from Massachusetts died of the disease in 2023 one week after staying at a resort in New Hampshire. Her husband Henry said she had gone swimming in the hotel's pool and hot tub. He said: 'Her heart had stopped and she couldn't be revived. And - that's about as much as I can say.' Water treatment plants typically use a disinfectant such as chlorine to clean out the potable water system. The most reliable way to determine if your water is contaminated with Legionella is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. Home testing kits are also available, which involve collecting water samples and sending them to a lab for analysis. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella. Around 500 people in the UK and 6,100 in the US suffer every year. The condition can cause life-threatening complications, including respiratory failure, kidney failure and septic shock, which occurs when blood flow to the vital organs is blocked. Most sufferers become ill by inhaling tiny water droplets from infected sources, such as shower heads, hot tubs, swimming pools or ventilation systems in buildings. Anyone can become infected, however, at-risk people include the elderly, smokers and those with suppressed immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients. Symptoms usually develop between two and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Early signs include: Headache Muscle Pain Fever and chills People may then experience: Cough, which may bring up blood Breathlessness Chest pain Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Confusion Treatment is antibiotics, usually in hospital, as soon as possible. Prevention involves meticulous cleaning and disinfection of water systems. People can reduce their risk by not smoking as this damages the lungs and makes individuals more susceptible.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Legionnaires' disease cluster in Central Harlem under investigation, health officials say
New York City health officials say they're investigating a cluster of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem and bordering areas. Five people have been diagnosed with the disease since Friday, and others have been tested and are waiting on results. No deaths have been reported. City health officials say they're sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems in the following ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035 and 10037. Adults who have been in the affected area and have flu-like symptoms or difficulty breathing are being urged to contact their health care provider. Legionnaires' is a type of pneumonia and has similar symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle aches and cough. It is spread by breathing in water vapor that contains Legionella bacteria, which grows in warm water, and is not contagious. When caught early, Legionnaires' disease can be treated with antibiotics. Health officials urge anyone at higher risk — such as smokers, people with chronic lung conditions and anyone over age 50 — to seek care as soon as symptoms begin.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent warning over fatal lung disease spread through contaminated water in taps, showers, hosepipes and hot tubs
BRITS are being urged to take precautions against a potentially deadly lung infection that spreads more during the summer months. Legionnaires' disease is caused by bacteria found in water supplies that haven't been used much, such as taps, showers, hosepipes, and hot tubs. 4 4 4 'This is because warm, stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for Legionella bacteria,' Professor Franklin Joseph, a consultant physician, told Sun Health. 'And unfortunately, that's exactly what happens in summer," he added. He said: 'Air conditioning units, garden hoses, sprinkler systems, and even hotel showers that haven't been used for a while can all pose a risk when temperatures rise.' In the UK, there are around 300 to 500 reported cases each year, with about half linked to travel abroad, according to uRisk Safety Services, a water testing company. Last month, Donna Jobling, 57, was left in a coma, fighting for her life after catching the bug while on an all-inclusive holiday in Greece. The infection spreads when people breathe in tiny droplets of contaminated water. 'That could be from a misting fan, a spa pool, or an air-con system that hasn't been cleaned properly," Dr Frank, who is also head of Dr Frank's Clinic, said. It's often linked to hotels, gyms and even office buildings,' he added. You can't catch Legionnaires' disease by drinking infected water or from another person. Once the bacteria is inhaled, it can take up to 10 days for symptoms to appear, and they often resemble a bad case of flu at first. Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, 'caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel' After a couple of days, these symptoms progress to pneumonia, a dangerous lung infection. "The bacteria inflame the lungs, making it hard to breathe and get enough oxygen into the body," Dr Frank explained. "In vulnerable people. like the elderly, smokers or those with weak immune systems, it can trigger respiratory failure, sepsis and even death if not caught in time," he added. "Even healthy people can become dangerously ill if treatment is delayed.' In the US — which collects extensive data on Legionnaires' disease — over 95 per cent of diagnosed cases in 2014 and 2015 resulted in hospitalisation, according to the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC). And while the disease is treatable with antibiotics, about one in eight died from their infection, the health body said. The best way to prevent illness this summer is to keep water systems clean with regular flushing, especially after they've been unused for a while. "If you've been away, run taps and showers for a few minutes before using them," Dr Frank said. "Clean out air-con filters and garden hoses, and avoid using misting fans or hot tubs in places that look poorly maintained. "If something smells musty or 'off', trust your instincts and steer clear. "Prevention is always better than cure with Legionnaires."
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Cooling tanks at LHSC Victoria test positive for legionella bacteria, which causes legionnaires disease
London Health Sciences Centre says the cooling towers at Victoria Hospital have tested positive for the legionella bacteria. They can grow in hot tubs and hot water tanks, or large plumbing or air conditioning systems, places where water turns to vapour. Now the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) says legionella bacteria, the bacteria that cause legionnaires disease, have been found in samples from the cooling towers at the Victoria campus. 'Water evaporates and becomes aerosolized, where the bacteria can be in the air, then inhaled by people, and people can get sick,' explained Dr. Nadim Khalil, the Site Lead, Infection, Prevention and Control at LHSC Children's Hospital. So what is legionnaires disease? LHSC describes it as a serious type of pneumonia, though it is not spread by person-to-person contact. Signs can include fever, chills, dry cough, and shortness of breath. On July 9, Middlesex London Health Unit declared a legionnaires outbreak within a six-kilometre radius in southeast London. As of Tuesday, there were 69 reported cases, and two deaths. london - legionnaires - july 2025 A heat map provided by the Middlesex-London Health Unit shows the general area of confirmed cases (home addresses) of Legionnaires' disease reported to the Middlesex-London Health Unit in 2025. 'Even though there have been 69 cases, it's still fairly low number just considering the population of London. That falls down to roughly one in 10,000 people getting sick,' said Dr. Khalil. While LHSC Victoria falls within the catchment area, officials say the hospital is not the source of the outbreak. 'There's not an increased risk from catching legionella from being in the hospital than anywhere else in London,' said Dr. Khalil. 'So unfortunately, just because we do fall in that radius,' he explained. Dr. Khalil said LHSC is doubling its efforts with chemical cleaning of the cooling tanks. 'So regardless of the test results, we have had treatment done to the water supply, and we are proceeding with an even more aggressive treatment and cleaning, just to make sure we're not causing any potential harm to the community,' he said. The hospital is awaiting results of the positive samples, taken about a week ago. That's to determine whether it's the same strain found in the community. They're expected in about three weeks.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
LHSC detects Legionella bacteria in cooling towers
London Health Sciences Centre says the cooling towers at Victoria Hospital have tested positive for the legionella bacteria. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual A positive test for Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, has been found at Victoria Hospital in London. On July 9, the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) declared an outbreak within a six kilometer radius in a portion of southeast London. An updated map provided by the health unit, now shows a three kilometre radius within the original six-kilometre radius that shows the average location of all home addresses for reported cases. As of Tuesday, the health unit had reported two deaths and 69 cases of Legionnaiers'. london - legionnaires - july 2025 A heat map provided by the Middlesex-London Health Unit shows the general area of confirmed cases (home addresses) of Legionnaires' disease reported to the Middlesex-London Health Unit in 2025. According to London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), samples were taken from the cooling towers on site on July 16 and 17 and returned a positive result. More testing is now underway to find out if the strain found at LHSC matches the strain causing the community outbreak — those results are expected back in about three weeks. Legionella bacteria are naturally found in water sources such as hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, or parts of air-conditioning systems.
